As COVID-19 restrictions ease globally and the travel industry bounces back from its devastating impact, Doha has ranked among the top international destinations from Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru, India, in 2022, the airport disclosed in a statement.

According to the airport based in South India, Dubai, Male, Singapore, Doha, and Abu Dhabi were the top international cities for the airport, which served 25 international destinations in 2022, contributing 67% to the passenger traffic. The airport’s top domestic routes in 2022 were Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Kochi, and Hyderabad, contributing 40% to the traffic.

According to a statement, the airport stated that corporate traffic gradually revives domestic and international sectors as restrictions relax.

“This is influenced by higher vaccination penetration, lower infection rates, relaxation of travel restrictions, cross border regulations, and increased economic activities,” the statement added.

The increased traffic flow has also impacted Hamad International Airport (DOH), which witnessed a significant rise in passenger movement in 2022, with a 101.9% year-on-year surge, making this a milestone year as the airport welcomed 35,734,243 passengers.

Meanwhile, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) recently reported that international traffic reached 152.7% of the 2021 levels in 2022. The increase in 2021 matches 62.9% of global traffic in 2019. Domestic traffic increased by 10.9% from 2021. This was about 79.6% of the 2019 traffic levels.

Middle Eastern carriers increased by 157.4%, North American airlines rose by 130.2%, the European region increased by 132.2%, Latin American carriers grew by 119.2%, and African airlines posted a traffic increase of 89.8%.

Combined, the total air traffic in 2022 increased by 64.4% compared with 2021 levels.

Source: Civil Aviation Authority-Qatar